The Supreme Court is set to rule on the constitutionality of the controversial health care law passed in 2010. <\/p>\n
STORY HIGHLIGHTS <\/p>\n
Washington (CNN) -- The Supreme Court is set to release its much-anticipated rulings on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, the comprehensive health care law enacted two years ago. <\/p>\n
The election-year rulings will not only guide how every American receives medical care but will also establish precedent-setting boundaries for how government regulation can affect a range of social areas. Your health and your finances could be on the line. <\/p>\n
The outcome's possibilities are myriad: a narrow or sweeping decision? A road map to congressional authority in coming decades? Which bloc of justices, which legal argument will win the day? <\/p>\n
Here are five scenarios -- strategic markers of a sort -- to watch as the high court weighs in on health care. <\/p>\n
Wait another day? <\/p>\n
The first question the high court tackled in its seven-hour marathon argument in March was something few observers had expected: It boiled down to whether the law's individual mandate is a \"tax\" that could prevent the court from considering the broader constitutional questions. <\/p>\n
A little-known federal law -- the Anti-Injunction Act, dating back to 1867-- bars claimants from asking for a refund on a tax until it has been paid. <\/p>\n
This \"gateway\" issue could render moot all the other pending health care questions if the justices think the minimum coverage requirement amounts to a tax. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Health care ruling: Five scenarios<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Supreme Court is set to rule on the constitutionality of the controversial health care law passed in 2010. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Washington (CNN) -- The Supreme Court is set to release its much-anticipated rulings on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, the comprehensive health care law enacted two years ago. Continue reading